Switch zoning for IBM FlashSystem storage systems

Switch zoning configurations for the IBM® FlashSystem™ system include fabric zoning, target port sharing, host splitting, and controller splitting.

The IBM FlashSystem system has no zoning limitations.

The IBM FlashSystem systems present themselves by default to a Storwize® V3500 system as single controllers with a WWPN for each port that is zoned to Storwize V3500. For example, if one of these storage systems has four ports that are zoned to Storwize V3500, the IBM FlashSystem appears as a system with four WWPNs. A given logical unit (LU) must be mapped to Storwize V3500 through all controller ports that are zoned to Storwize V3500 by using the same logical unit number (LUN).

The controller must be separately zoned to Storwize V3500 ports for exclusivity requirements.

Fabric zoning

For robustness, each fabric zone to all the Storwize V3500 backend port must contain a IBM FlashSystem storage system port from each controller.

Target port sharing

The IBM FlashSystem storage system can support LUN masking to enable multiple servers to access separate LUNs through a common controller port. Explicit zoning is safest. Otherwise, ensure separate exclusive zoning if you are using the default.

Host splitting

Host splitting can be used. For hosts that connect to Storwize V3500 and the controller, Storwize V3500 must have sole access to its LUNs. Explicit host connections for LUNs to Storwize V3500 are expected to be used in this configuration.